News, news, news….

I appreciate any of you who have taken the time to subscribe to this blog. Please accept my apologies for not being on here a bit more regularly. There have been a great many changes and I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming days and weeks. First, I have to tell you about something that happened just a few days ago. In all my years of owning parrots, (over 25), this has never happened. There has always been a specific focus on avoiding any breeding (and anything associate with it). And while I do not encourage mating, one aspect of the reproductive process does occur in some households on occasion. I guess this happened to be our occasion.

One of my females, Gabby, is an adorable creature. (They all are, though, aren’t they?) Gabby has been with me about five years and is a funny girl…she’s got the theme to “The Andy Griffith Show” down pat and has taught many others to whistle it as well. She talks some, likes to whistle, and especially loves her swing. (At some point I have to post a video of this)……While holding on to her swing with one foot, she grabs the front of the cage with her other foot and beak. When she has pulled herself close enough, she lets go of the front of the cage and gets completely on the swing. Viola! We have motion! It is adorable, funny, cute and so enjoyable to watch as she goes back and forth! Gabby also loves to chew up boxes. If you want to keep her occupied, give her a box. It will keep her busy for days.

The beginning of July took us out of town for a few days as went to see our daughter marry. I had a friend coming over to take care of the birdies and doggies. All went well. However, when I came back it seemed Gabby really missed me. 🙂 She just could not stay away. She loved on me, didn’t want to leave me, and followed me around the house like a puppy. I was so missed! (I know it seems like I have gone off on a tangent, but it will make sense in a minute.) This behavior has continued….this past Sunday as I was getting everyone ready for their weekly bath, shower and sunshine I was startled to see something on the bottom of Gabby’s cage….. you guessed it- it was an egg!

The egg….

You will notice it is cracked, which is fine as it is not fertile anyway. I had never seen an egg from an African Grey or any other parrot for that matter. Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out- it is still in a dish in the fridge. I don’t know how long I will keep it, but it makes me smile when I open the fridge. I think she may have another eggy in there, which I hope she lays soon. While it is a natural process, it also is not something one desires on a regular basis. It takes a lot of calcium to make an egg, (don’t’ ask me how much, I just know it takes a lot out of a birdies’ body). I will tell you why this is so pertinent in Gabby’s case in my next post….for now, just do as I have been doing, look at the egg and smile. 🙂